Evaluation of a Spiritually Focused Intervention with Older Trauma Survivors Sharon Bowland, Tonya Edmond, and Roger D. Fallot This study evaluated the effectiveness of an 11-session, spiritually focused group interven- tion with older women survivors (age 55 years and older) of interpersonal trauma (child abuse, sexual assault, or domestic violence) in reducing trauma-related depressive symp- toms, posttraumatic stress, and anxiety. Forty-three community-dwelling women survivors of interpersonal trauma were randomized into treatment (n = 21) or control (n = 22) groups. Participants in group psychotherapy discussed spiritual struggles related to abuse and devel- oped spiritual coping resources. The treatment group had significantly lower depressive symptoms, anxiety, and physical symptoms at posttest compared with the control group. In a separate analysis, posttraumatic stress symptoms also dropped significantly in the treatment group. Gains were maintained at three-month follow-up. This study provides strong initial support for the effectiveness of spiritually focused group intervention for older survivors of interpersonal trauma from a Christian background. KEY WORDS: interpersonal trauma; intervention; older women; spirituality; trauma symptoms S ome women experience profound long- term mental and physical health conse- quences from experiences such as child physical and sexual abuse (Talbot, Duberstein, Cox, Denning, & Conwell, 2004). These symp- toms are often exacerbated by repeated victimiza- tions (sexual assault and domestic violence) over the life course (Coid et al., 2001), increasing long- term risks for health, mental health, and adult mortality (Felitti et al., 1998). The literature is replete with accounts of posttraumatic stress, de- pression, and anxiety as the long-term sequelae for survivors who experience these types of inter- personal trauma. Women are also two to three times more likely than men to report fear of being injured during violent episodes with their intimate partners (Morse, 1995), and seven to 14 times more likely to sustain a severe injury at the hands of an intimate partner (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). They are more likely to be murdered by an intimate partner than through all other types of crimes combined (Koss et al., 1994). These statistics indicate the great need for treatments addressing the needs of survivors of interpersonal trauma. Some researchers have reported a delayed onset or reemergence of trauma symptoms as women age (Floyd, Rice, & Black, 2002; Graziano, 2003; Somer, 2000). Using data from a national survey (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000), Wilke and Vinton (2005) found older women (age 45 years and older) experienced the same rates of violence as younger women, had more health and mental health problems, and were more likely to remain in abusive relationships. In response to a historical and ageist bias that older adults do not benefit from therapy to address their mental health needs (Jeste et al., 1999), and due to the lack of treat- ments for this underserved age group, we chose to test a spiritually focused intervention with older women trauma survivors. SPIRITUALITY AND TRAUMA Wink and Dillon’s (2003) longitudinal life course survey offered evidence about the importance of spirituality to older women. These authors reported that women age 55 years and older valued their spirituality more than men or younger adults and that a spiritual focus was cor- related with personal growth and involvement in creative activities. Women with a spiritual focus also exhibited greater well-being in late adult- hood. Not surprisingly, some investigators (Crowther, Parker, Achenbaum, Larimore, & Koenig, 2002) have proposed incorporating posi- tive spirituality into models of successful aging. However, life challenges may lead to spiritual struggles (Koenig, 1994; Pargament, 1997). Some doi: 10.1093/sw/swr001 © 2012 National Association of Social Workers 1 Social Work Advance Access published May 18, 2012